https://www.fridgecoaster.com/blogs/news.atomFridge Coaster - Blog2019-03-01T21:47:00-05:00Fridge Coasterhttps://www.fridgecoaster.com/blogs/news/happier-fridge-family-meal-planning2019-03-01T21:47:00-05:002019-03-05T13:34:01-05:00Happier Fridge & Family : Meal PlanningJamie SmithMore]]>
The witching hour is REAL. You know the one - it’s after school and just before dinner. The kids are switching off school mode and you’re scrambling to get something on everyone’s plates, do the bookbag cleanout/restock shuffle, pack tomorrow’s lunches, convince your kids to do homework/chores..all while your kids are whiny, hyper, and needy. Do yourself a favor and start meal planning. We promise it doesn’t have to be as daunting as it may sound!

Over the years, we’ve worked through all the ways to survive the dinner hour and what we’ve found is the best method is planning ahead. We know that every day will be chaotic. The more we can get done ahead of time, the less stressed we all are.

Meal planning and weekend prep helps us stay on budget (grocery expenses are serious!) and on task during the week. Every time we share our Sunday night fridge, we get so many messages asking about how we meal prep. So, we thought we’d share that with you in a printable!

Our rotating, 2 week meal plan helps us have a consistent grocery list each Saturday and a pretty fridge every Sunday night.

To go along with our printable menu, we’ve also linked to some of the recipes from our menu and some of our favorite fridge organization products to make your weeks just a little bit happier. We love these containers and, obviously, our Fridge Coasters.

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https://www.fridgecoaster.com/blogs/news/national-clean-out-your-fridge-day-just-in-time-for-thanksgiving2018-11-12T23:07:00-05:002018-11-12T23:07:48-05:00National Clean Out Your Fridge Day - Just in Time for ThanksgivingBenjamin RudnickMore]]>
Even if November 15th wasn’t National Clean Out Your Fridge Day (but really, it is), you’re likely already planning your shopping list for Thanksgiving and trying to figure out where you’re going to put all of the groceries and prepped foods. (Don’t forget, you also have to still house school lunches and some everyday food between now and the big day.)

If you’ve really planned ahead, you already have a clean fridge because you’re using Fridge Coasters which means all you have to do is organize and rearrange your fridge. If your shelves are not protected, then you likely have some scrubbing to do.

Clean Out (and Up) The Fridge

You’re getting every other inch of your home clean and ready for guests, so don’t forget about having a clean fridge. Unpleasant smells, sticky messes, or unsightly spills are the last thing you should have to worry about hijacking Thanksgiving - we’re guessing you already have plenty of worries racing through your mind! Don’t forget to use lemon in your cleaning!

If you’re looking for a good cleaning list for your whole home (including the fridge), try this list from Apartment Therapy or this one from All Day Mom.

Now that your fridge is ready to store all of the feast day essentials, you can focus on actually prepping the food. If you’ve never hosted before, or if you’re looking for a way to be more organized, these two posts do a great job of breaking down how and when to make the food: Delish and The Kitchn.

Not Hosting? Lucky You.

If you’ve made it through all the helpful information in this post only to feel left out because you’re not hosting this year, there’s still something you need to consider - what are you bringing to dinner? If you’ve been assigned a food item to bring, it’s still a good idea to take stock of your own fridge organization while you’re preparing the dish (if for no other reason than to be a part of National Clean Out Your Fridge Day!).

If you don’t have any food responsibilities, it’s always a good idea to show up with a hostess gift. Some of our favorite go-tos for this are curated gift baskets. Grab a practical basket (think one that could be repurposed as a bread basket) and line it with a cute seasonal tea towel. Throw in a bottle of wine (if the basket depth allows) or a wine gift card, and a pack of Fridge Coasters (The Large Crisper Bin and Shelf Coaster is a universal fit!).

Pro tip: Don’t forget to use code fall4it to snag 20% off your order!

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https://www.fridgecoaster.com/blogs/news/getting-organized-school-lunch-hacks2018-08-28T10:53:00-04:002018-08-28T10:53:26-04:00Getting Organized: School Lunch HacksBenjamin RudnickAs awesome as the routine of school is for our family, it’s no secret that school lunches can sometimes get the best of us. Over the years, we’ve come up with a few tips and school lunch hacks that streamline the process of packing lunches, keep our kids healthy (and fed), and help us maintain our sanity throughout the school year. We’re sharing what’s worked for us because we have a feeling this may be a struggle for you, too!

Start with the Right Lunch Box and Gear

Growing up, we had the straight up bagged lunches. Luckily for our kids (and the environment!), there have been some upgrades to the lunch bag/box over the years. We love browsing Zulily when they share an organization event - and not just because you can usually find us in there. They have some great options for eco-friendly, disposable-plastic-free lunch box storage.

If you’re on the hunt for a sturdy container you can pack, use, and wash over and over, we love the Bentgo brand (or YUMBOX or one of the other similar brands). These containers fit in a variety of lunch bag shells and can be packed in advance. The containers have a variety of divider and shape options which allows you to keep things fresh with what you pack.

Find Lunch Box Inspiration

Speaking of fresh... after about one week of lunches, it can start to feel like you’re just packing the same two meals on repeat. Some kids may not mind that (or if you have a picky eater, maybe this is necessary!). However, if you’re looking to shake things up with the options you’re packing your kiddos, there’s tons of inspiration (that doesn’t involve intense food art or tons of time). Some of our favorite places for lunch inspiration:

Search #jennakiddolunch on Instagram. This hashtag is full of inspiration that actually has us rethinking how we do grownup lunches!

Get your kids involved in selecting and packing their lunches. Especially if you have eaters with, ahem, very vocal ideas on what they should eat every day. Lay out selections for them to pick in each category (protein, veggie, fruit, side), and let them make their choices for each category. You can feel good that they’re more likely to eat what’s packed, and you don’t waste time or food!

Food prep is one of those things that sounds intimidating...until you actually do it and realize it’s the best thing ever dreamed up. We hesitated, ever so briefly, getting in a routine of food prep until we really started paying attention to the food we were eating in our house (and had multiple kids). Then, food prep isn’t something you have to do, it’s what makes your life easier. Trust us. About once a week, right after we grab groceries, we spend a little time getting everything we bought ready for “grab and go.”

By washing veggies and cutting them into the right sizes, we can toss them into lunch boxes, salads, and meals without having to do any extra work. We also prep fruits, cooked meats like chicken, and portion out yogurts, sauces, and other sides. This makes packing lunches and cooking dinners SO MUCH EASIER. Plus, it doesn’t hurt that everything looks much nicer after it’s been prepped and stored in containers!

Plan and Pack Ahead

Just in case you’re one of those parents who saves lunch packing for the morning of...stop now! Your life will be so much easier and less rushed if you pack lunches (or at least do a majority of the work) in advance. For some items, you can get the Bentgo (or other lunch container) set up a day or two in advance - things like veggies, yogurts, etc. Finish the lunch prep the night before you need it, and then all you have to do in the morning is grab the lunches and toss them in the bags with a freezer pack! What could you do with an extra ten minutes in the morning? Meditate, yoga, read, silently sip HOT coffee...the possibilities are endless!

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https://www.fridgecoaster.com/blogs/news/fridge-coasters-beyond-the-fridge2018-05-30T14:30:00-04:002018-05-30T14:30:00-04:00Fridge Coasters® Beyond the FridgeBenjamin RudnickMore]]>
When we started creating Fridge Coaster, we were solving a problem that we had in our own home (and fridge). Messes from produce, liquids, kids, etc had us cleaning up way too often. (We’re looking at you sticky dressing bottles). As we got further into the creative process and had time to think more about our coasters, we started noticing other places around our home where we needed a little something extra to help us out. That’s when we discovered that Fridge Coasters can be used in so many more places and ways outside of the fridge!

Under the Sink

Under the bathroom and kitchen sinks are a lot of bottles, soaps, and liquids waiting to spill and damage the wood of your cabinets. You can prevent the problem by placing the L or XL Coaster under the sink to protect the surface from household cleaner drips that can quickly & permanently damage your cabinets.

Wire Shelves in the Freezer

Wire shelving in the freezer can be problematic. If you’re freezing liquids or dough in plastic and lay the bags directly on the wire shelves, it can cause lumps and creases. Smaller items can fall through the shelf gaps. In the summer, we all know that popsicles or smoothie packs can leak and cause a sticky mess. Throw a Fridge Coaster on the shelves, and you can head off all of these freezer faux pas.

Laundry Room Shelves

Why do the economy-sized laundry dispensers always leak? And bleach bottles? Always leaving a mess. We used to keep a towel under the dispenser just to protect everything below the bottle until we started using Fridge Coasters in the laundry room. PROBLEM SOLVED.

In the Pantry

If you have wire shelves in the pantry, you might be facing the same problems as in the freezer (things falling through the spaces, drips falling to the bottom). Even if you have solid shelving in the pantry, things like honey have the potential to cause havoc...UNLESS you have something in place to prevent the messes. Hint: Fridge Coasters work great in the pantry, too!

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https://www.fridgecoaster.com/blogs/news/5-ways-to-reduce-your-use-of-plastic-in-your-home2018-04-22T10:09:00-04:002018-04-22T10:11:45-04:005 Ways to Reduce Your Family’s Use of PlasticBenjamin RudnickMore]]>
This year’s Earth Day focus is on reducing plastic. Plastic is destructive to our environment (and can be harmful for human health as well). Time recently shared an interactive tool which demonstrates just how much plastic we use. When you stop to consider all the ways we rely on plastic in our daily lives, it can seem like a daunting task to remove or replace its use. We’ve compiled five ways our family has been able to lower our plastic pollution to help spark some ideas to reduce your use of plastic around your home.

Reducing Dependency on Single-Use Plastics

This is one of easiest ways to cut down on plastic use, but truthfully, it’s also difficult because it requires a hard look at daily activities and substitution research for each item you use.

Plastic straws and disposable coffee cups are two common single-use items you might be able to replace. Instead of using a plastic straw, opt for a reusable metal or glass straw. There are many sources for these straws - check out Simply Straws if you aren’t sure where to start. Bringing your own coffee cup to the coffee shop is a simple step but one which will make a large impact.

Instead of reaching for plastic lunch bags for kids’ school lunches, use a bento box or glass containers. Don’t buy plastic water bottles for convenience; instead, use reusable water bottles - you can even keep these prepped and ready to grab from the fridge if you find that you miss the grab-and-go convenience of single-use plastic water bottles.

Using Glass Containers Instead of Plastic Storage

If you haven’t already made the switch, it’s a great idea to look at switching to glass containers for storing leftovers, packing lunches, or meal prepping. Glass doesn’t retain smells (you might have noticed that can happen in plasticware), and it also can withstand hot/cold.

When heading out to the grocery store, be sure to bring along reusable bags. Don’t forget to also take them along when you are at other retail stores. We’ve found keeping a few bags in the car will help us stay prepared. Also, avoid using plastic produce bags. You can either use reusable produce bags you bring from home or try shopping the farmers’ markets where plastic isn’t a factor for the produce.

Sourcing Plastic Alternatives When Possible

In general, take stock of your family’s use of plastics throughout the day. Look for ways to minimize what plastics you use. Make natural cleaners to replace purchased cleaning products that contain chemicals and are sold in plastic bottles. We love using lemon as a cleaner!Composting is a great way to reduce your household’s trash volume (which in turn reduces your need for plastic garbage bags!). Starting a compost bin is easier than you may think & these tips from Better Homes & Gardens will help you get started.

For the plastic you can’t avoid, make sure you purchase plastic that is recyclable. Not all plastics can be recycled in all areas. The plastic bags that do make their way home with you should also be recycled. Many stores will take your plastic bags, and you can also check here for a recycling location near you.

Changing the status quo of plastic use might seem intimidating, but it’s something you can get the whole family involved in, which sets a great example for your kids to form greener habits. Happy Earth Day!

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https://www.fridgecoaster.com/blogs/news/how-to-use-l-e-m-o-n-to-clean-just-about-everything2018-03-19T15:00:01-04:002018-03-19T15:00:01-04:00How to use LEMON to clean just about everything in your homeBenjamin RudnickMore]]>
Lemons are naturally acidic which makes them a great option to clean with for many areas in your home. They can get the job done just as well, if not better, than harsh chemicals. Here is our top 10 ways to use lemon to clean your home, leaving things feeling fresh!

1. Deodorize and sanitize cutting boards and wooden spoons - Halve a lemon and rub all over cutting board and wooden utensils. Rinse with warm water and set aside to dry. Also works as a stain remover on plastic cutting boards just follow the same steps.

2. Whiten laundry - skip the bleach and dump 1/2 cup of lemon juice into washer with towels and sheets. It will brighten whites and help keep the mildew smell out of towels.

3. Remove hard water stains - use a halved lemon to scrub hard water stains off any fixture.

4. Clean hands - use lemon juice as soap to remove smell of garlic and onion.

8. Clean & deodorize the garbage disposal - quarter a lemon and toss it down the disposal. Add 1 cup of ice and turn on. Lemon with deodorize and sanitize and the ice will sharpen the blades. Win, win!

9. Vacuum cleaner - ever notice that weird smell your vacuum leaves behind? Add a couple of drops of lemon juice to the vacuum bag or filter to eliminate the smell and leave your house smelling lemony fresh every time you vacuum.

10. The fridge - halve a lemon and place it in a small bowl. Place in refrigerator uncovered for 24 hours. The lemon will neutralize any odors and leave the fridge smelling fresh.

What other ways do you use lemon to clean? We'd love to know.

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https://www.fridgecoaster.com/blogs/news/78891076-first-post2018-03-05T14:36:00-05:002018-03-06T16:19:17-05:005 things in the kitchen that you need to clean, like today!Benjamin RudnickMore]]>

*﻿kitchen image via Studio McGee

Cleaning the kitchen is a daily chore, often multiple times a day. Everyone is in a hurry so we just stick to the basic areas that everyone can see, right? We don't usually take the time to really clean the things that are not visible. Out of sight, out of mind. Here are five things that we just don't think about cleaning on a regular basis, but probably should.

1.Trash Can - The trash bag goes in. Fill it up. Take out trash. Repeat. Unfortunately the trash bag doesn't do all the work. Things splatter, drip & spill all the time. Gross. Take time time to wipe down the trash can, inside and out, using a disinfectant spray. Do this today, like right now!

2. Utensil Trays - How the heck to all those crumbs get in there if we're only putting away clean utensils? This is one of life's great mysteries. While your dishwasher is running (this way there are less utensils to empty out) remove remaining utensils. Shake out the crumbs and wash with warm soapy water. Is your kitchen feeling cleaner already? Good!

3. Small kitchen appliances - We're talking toasters, stand mixers, food processors ect. These are mighty little machines that are often used a couple of times a week. We're probably great at cleaning all the little pieces that we used but what about the outside of the appliance? Wipe down with a homemade cleaner made of vinegar, lemon and warm water. It will disinfect and is safe around food.

4. Ice Trays & Buckets - This one is pretty gross if you think about it. How many times do you reach your {dirty} hand into the ice bin to fill up a glass? Uh yeah. Switch the ice maker to off and empty out remaining ice, or wait until you use it up. Take out the bin and wash with warm soapy water. Dry and replace. Don't forget to turn the ice maker back on. For ice trays, you can hand wash or pop them in the top rack of the dishwasher.

5. Reusable Grocery Bags - This is not something I really thought about until recently. I had some blueberries that were accidentally smashed at the bottom of the bag. I wiped out the mess but then thought to myself, how many times have these bags been in and out of the car and shopping carts? Filled with dirty produce and touched by dirty hands? Germ fest!! I immediately gathered them all up and tossed them in the washer. Hang to dry when done. Don't forget to put them back in the car for the next trip.